France's Macron finds Nemo, his new canine companion

PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron, faced with tumbling popularity ratings, turned on Monday to a new aide: Nemo, a young dog adopted from a rescue shelter.

Nemo, a labrador-griffon cross, made his first public appearance on the steps of the Elysee Palace as Macron welcomed Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou.

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French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, Nemo

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French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, Nemo

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

TOPSHOT - French president Emmanuel Macron gestures towards his dog Nemo during a meeting with German Vice Chancellor and German Foreign Minister at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris on August 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)

President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou (L) is greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron as he arrives for talks on EU integration, defense and migration at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. French President's new dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo is seen on the stairs. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron stands next to his dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, as he waits for a guest at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron stands next to his dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, as he waits for a guest at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron and his dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, wait for a guest at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron and his dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, leave at the Elysee Palace to greet a guest in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

French President's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen as ministers attend the first government meeting led by President Emmanuel Macron after the summer break at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

A dog named Nemo, adopted few days before by the French presidential couple from the SPA animal protection society, follows French president Emmanuel Macron (R) and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (2ndR) ahead of a first government meeting after the summer break on August 28, 2017 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / LUDOVIC MARIN (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)

French president Emmanuel Macron (C,R) and Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou (C) walk past a dog named Nemo, adopted few days before by the French presidential couple from the SPA animal protection society at the Elysee Palace in Paris on August 28, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / LUDOVIC MARIN (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 28: French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and his new dog named Nemo (L) welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou (not pictured) at the Elysee Palace on August 28, 2017 in Paris, France. This meeting intervenes to reaffirm Europe's support to Niger for control and controlled management of migratory flows. (Photo by Christophe Morin/IP3/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 28: French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) and his new dog named Nemo welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou (not pictured) at the Elysee Palace on August 28, 2017 in Paris, France. This meeting intervenes to reaffirm Europe's support to Niger for control and controlled management of migratory flows. (Photo by Christophe Morin/IP3/Getty Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

French President Emmanuel Macron (2ndL) looks to his wife Brigitte Macron (3rdL) as she tries to push away their dog Nemo during a photo group with the invited top French chefs during an event for French gastronomy at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, September 27, 2017. REUTERS/Michel Euler/Pool

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes German Vice Chancellor and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 30, 2017. At L, French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo. REUTERS/Alain Jocard/Pool

French President Emmanuel Macron's dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, is seen before the arrival of a guest at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 30, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

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Displaying immaculate manners, Nemo trotted out of the palace at his master's heel before coming to an obedient standstill at the top of the stairs, ignoring the whistle of photographers and appearing unfazed as a band struck up.

Nemo stayed back discreetly as Macron embraced Issoufou before a mini-summit with the other leaders from Europe and Africa. The dog then followed the French and African leaders into the palace.